LAO · East Asia & Pacific / East Asia & Pacific (excluding high income)

Location

GDP per capita: 2,124 USD (PPP: 9,776 intl$) · Total GDP: 16.5 billion USD (2024)

Income and purchasing power

The average monthly income in Lao PDR is 167 USD per month. This compares to prices and purchasing power compared to the United States.

Compare cost of living and purchasing power →

Economic performance 2024

Indicator Value Per Capita
GDP 16.50 billion USD 2,124 USD
Gross National Product (GNI) 2,000 USD
GDP (PPP) 9,776 intl$

Development of gross domestic product in billions of USD 1984 - 2024

Year GDP (billions USD) GDP per capita (USD)
2024 16.50 2,124
2023 15.84 2,067
2022 15.47 2,046
2021 18.83 2,526
2020 18.98 2,584
2019 18.74 2,589
2018 18.14 2,545
2017 17.07 2,432
2016 15.91 2,303
2015 14.43 2,121
2014 13.28 1,981
2013 11.98 1,813
2012 10.19 1,564
2011 8.75 1,362
2010 7.13 1,126
2009 5.84 935
2008 5.45 886
2007 4.22 697
2006 3.46 579
2005 2.74 466
2004 2.37 409
2003 2.02 355
2002 1.76 313
2001 1.77 320
2000 1.73 319
1999 1.45 272
1998 1.28 244
1997 1.75 339
1996 1.87 371
1995 1.76 358
1994 1.54 321
1993 1.33 283
1992 1.13 247
1991 1.03 232
1990 0.87 201
1989 0.71 170
1988 0.60 147
1987 1.09 275
1986 1.78 462
1985 2.37 633
1984 1.76 483

Largest economic sectors

The main economic sectors in Lao PDR play a crucial role in the country's economic development and prosperity. These industries contribute significantly to GDP, employment, and overall economic stability.

Primary Sectors

  • Banking and financial services
  • Construction and real estate
  • Manufacturing (metals, steel)
  • Information technology

Supporting Sectors

  • Logistics and transportation
  • Tourism and hospitality
  • Agriculture and food processing
  • Energy and utilities

Note: Detailed sector breakdown data is being collected and will be updated soon.

Imports and Exports 2024

Indicator Lao PDR Per Capita
Imports 6.91 billion USD (41.9% of GDP)
Exports 5.48 billion USD (33.2% of GDP)

Household debt and deficits 2024

Data on government debt, budget deficit/surplus, and household debt is being collected.

Note: Household debt data represents domestic credit to private sector (% of GDP) from World Bank. This indicator includes credit to both households and non-financial corporations, providing an approximation of household debt levels.

Corruption in Lao PDR

The Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024 will be displayed here once the data is available. This section will show the country's ranking and trends in corruption perception.

Data source: Transparency International

Unemployment rates in percentages 1991 - 2025

The unemployment rate is calculated as the percentage of unemployed persons in the total labor force. Data source: ILOSTAT

Year Unemployment Rate (%)
2025 1.2%
2024 1.2%
2023 1.2%
2022 1.2%
2021 2.1%
2020 2.3%
2019 2.5%
2018 2.9%
2017 3.3%
2016 2.6%
2015 2.0%
2014 1.7%
2013 1.5%
2012 1.2%
2011 1.0%
2010 0.7%
2009 0.8%
2008 0.9%
2007 1.1%
2006 1.2%
2005 1.4%
2004 1.5%
2003 1.6%
2002 1.8%
2001 1.9%
2000 2.0%
1999 2.2%
1998 2.3%
1997 2.4%
1996 2.5%
1995 2.6%
1994 2.6%
1993 2.7%
1992 2.7%
1991 2.5%

Inflation rates in percentages 1989 - 2024

Year Inflation Rate (%)
2024 23.1%
2023 31.2%
2022 23.0%
2021 3.8%
2020 5.1%
2019 3.3%
2018 2.0%
2017 0.8%
2016 1.6%
2015 1.3%
2014 4.1%
2013 6.4%
2012 4.3%
2011 7.6%
2010 6.0%
2009 0.1%
2008 7.6%
2007 4.7%
2006 6.5%
2005 7.2%
2004 10.5%
2003 15.5%
2002 10.6%
2001 7.8%
2000 25.1%
1999 125.3%
1998 91.0%
1997 27.5%
1996 13.0%
1995 19.6%
1994 6.8%
1993 6.3%
1992 9.9%
1991 13.4%
1990 35.6%
1989 61.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GDP per capita of Lao PDR in 2024?

The GDP per capita of Lao PDR is 2,124 USD in 2024. When adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), the GDP per capita is 9,776 international dollars. This indicator measures the economic output per person and is a key metric for comparing economic prosperity across countries.

What are the main industries in Lao PDR?

The main economic sectors in Lao PDR include banking and financial services, construction and real estate, manufacturing (metals, steel), and information technology. Supporting sectors include logistics and transportation, tourism and hospitality, agriculture and food processing, and energy and utilities. These industries contribute significantly to GDP, employment, and overall economic stability.

What is the inflation rate in Lao PDR in 2024?

The inflation rate in Lao PDR is 23.1% in 2024. Inflation measures the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. This data is updated regularly from reliable sources like the World Bank and IMF.

Explore key economic indicators of Lao PDR including GDP, inflation, unemployment, and trade data. This page provides up-to-date statistics and visual insights based on official international sources such as World Bank, IMF, and ILO.

Our comprehensive database allows you to compare Lao PDR's economic performance with other countries and understand global economic trends. Access current economic indicators, historical data, and comparative analysis to gain a deeper understanding of Lao PDR's economic landscape. For demographic data, visit our population statistics section.

Data Sources

All economic data presented on this page is sourced from reputable international organizations and updated regularly.

  • World Bank: GDP, inflation, unemployment, trade, and economic indicators
  • IMF (International Monetary Fund): Economic indicators and financial statistics
  • OECD: Economic and social statistics
  • Transparency International: Corruption perception index
  • Numbeo: Cost of living data

Data is updated monthly. Last update: June 2026